Snow Day And Hungry Birds

January 28th, 2014. We had one of our rare snowfalls. The temperatures were falling fairly fast when the small flakes of snow started to fall in the early afternoon.

The snow began to accumulate fast and it stuck; we got about an inch of snow.

We were warm inside and could watch the birds gathering at the feeders. We have two cylinder feeders, one with sunflower seeds and the other with a mix of millet and other seeds. A platform feeder has both the millet mix and sunflower seeds. In addition we have two log feeders that have a mix of suet, peanut butter and seeds. These provided some great opportunities for photographs – even if some were a bit fuzzy.

Chipping sparrows (Spizella passerina) and American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) were huddled on a branch awaiting their turn at the feeders.

Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla). A couple of nuthatches have been regular visitors to this feeder this year. They will set and eat; this bird was taking seeds ‘to go.’  

Purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus). We’ve only seen one this year; usually we see up to half a dozen at the sunflower seed feeder.

Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Numerous males and females are regular visitors. They are most comfortable feeding on the ground. These were perched in a tree by the window.

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). This goldfinch was fluffed up against the cold.

Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hymenalis). It’s unusual to see these perched in a tree. Usually they are foraging on the ground.

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Several wrens feed on the suet-peanut butter-seed. 
 

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). I was delighted to spot this little guy. I’ve only seen them in the field feeding on the sap dribbling from holes drilled in the trunk of a Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)  tree by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus varius)

Rufous-sided or Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). We only see one or two of these – and farther from the house. This one was foraging only a few feet away.

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). I was excited to get a closer look at these and finally identify them. I’d seen them at a distance, foraging near the log feeders some distance from the house. I could see the stripes on the head but didn’t get a good look at their throats until now. There were at least half a dozen foraging on the ground.

There were several other birds that didn’t pose for photos: most notably Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens), a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), an Eastern Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor), Carolina Chickadees (Poecile carolinensis).

Identification Resources:

Cornell Lab Of Ornithology: All About Birds

- Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 

- American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 

- Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) 

- Purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus) 

- Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

- Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hymenalis)  

- Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

- Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

- Rufous-sided or Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)

- White-throatedSparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

 

Related post: 
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Right Under Our Noses 
- Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)
 

Snow Days, Again

It started early in the evening as freezing rain. Sharp snapping sounds of sleet hitting hard surfaces. When I first poked my head out the front door, there was barely anything sticking to the walk; just patches of ice pellets. A couple of hours later, I poked my head out again and there were about three inches of snow and it was coming down heavily. Small, dry flakes like it does when it’s really cold.

In the morning…

The bird feeders were fully occupied. These are mainly finches and Pine Warblers. But House Finches, Chickadees, Titmice, and Cardinals are frequent visitors. It was interesting to note that the Cardinals, in spite of the fact that they are twice the size of the others, don’t fly in and force the other birds off the perches; they wait their turn.

The trunks of trees by the walk. Drifts of a foot or so accumulated under the trees.

Across the field. Unlike the previous snow that was wet and heavy, this snow was powder and, for the most part, didn’t weigh down the bamboo or the Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) grass. About an inch of ice accumulated on the power line; luckily it didn’t break the line.

*****

Snow on the Rav. Almost five inches had accumulated on the spare tire cover. Some may have blown off in the strong wind. I measured 6 inches on a surface that was protected from the wind. First time I’d used the measure that W had bought me for just such a purpose.

The recliner out in the field. Don’t think I’ll be using this for a few days.

At the road. A few intrepid drivers had made their way down the road - but only a few.

But no tell-tale tire tracks to the mail and paper boxes. No deliveries today.

The snow that did accumulate on the trees gave them a strangely contorted appearance due to the frozen rain that held the snow to the branches.

Footsteps in the snow. It was a hard walk to the road. There was a thin crust of ice on the surface of the snow. If I put my foot toe-first into a step, the ice would ‘grab’ my foot and trip me. I had to place my feet vertically into the snow to avoid tripping.

This snow is going to hang around for a few days. It’s not going to get above freezing for another three days. A rare event in these parts.
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Related posts:
- Snow: In The Field

Snow: Fort Yargo State Park

I always want to go up to the lake after it’s snowed. However, there are a few steep hills between us and the lake and I hate to risk it if the roads are slippery. The roads were clear in our area by late morning so we drove up mid-afternoon. It was bold and breezy; skies were generally cloudy although the sun broke through a couple of times.

At the boat launch, Section B

Looking from the parking lot towards the pedestrian bridge and the upper end of the lake (segment 18).

Looking east from the parking lot (segment 17).

Walking out to the middle of the bridge to get a better view. Many others had been here too.

Looking east from the center of the bridge. Compare this view with the one I took on December 19th, 2010.

*****

The north side of the lake above the bridge was in the shade and both trees and ground were covered in snow.

At Picnic Area #1

Looking over to Picnic Area #2 (segment 15) which was deserted.

Looking a little further along the shore to the island (segment 16).

Looking over the docks towards the dam (segment 5) which is also in the shade and covered with snow.

Just before we left Picnic Area #1, the sun peaked through the clouds and brightened the tree trunks near us.

At the Old Fort

Looking from the parking lot east across the lake to the area (segment 10a) near the Nature Center. If the lake was full, I’d be able to row up to the edge of the snow in the center of the view.

The Old Fort. Compare with this photograph taken in January 2010.

The stack-rail fence at the edge of the parking lot and the woven garden fence in the background.

Just before we left the park, the sun peaked through again and highlighted the trees below the fort.
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Related posts:
- Picnic Area – Old Fort: Part 3. Old Fort - Fishing Area
- Fort Yargo State Park: A Cold, Sunny Day
- First Fall Row

Snow: In The Field

After tromping through the woods, it was time to walk the perimeter of the field out front. Most photos appear to be black and white, but now there’s a little color.

Looking next door.


Looking towards the road. Most of the bamboo, in the middle of the photo, is doubled over under the weight of the snow. It springs upright as the snow melts.

My walk around the field starts with the pathway along the power line right-of-way that serves as a firebreak and a great place to find wildflowers during the year.

Boughs of a small Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) in the field also bend under the snow.

An apple tree has stiffer limbs; the snow simply piles up on them.

Oak leaves - I don't know the species - have blown across the road and settled in the snow at the front of the field.

Stems of Broomsedge (Adropogon virginica) also bend under the weight of the snow. Surprisingly they don’t break but spring back vertical as the snow melts.

An Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) nestbox at the edge of the woods is decorated with snow.

A tall Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) stands surrounded by young Loblolly Pines (Pinus taeda) that have seeded from the nearby woods.

Today the snow is still on the field. The low temperatures persist and the snow is still lying on the field. It will melt in the next day or so as the temperatures rise.
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Related posts:
- Snow: In The Woods; A Study In Black And White
- And Then It Snowed: In The Woods

Snow: In The Woods; A Study In Black And White

The weather mavens tell us this is the first White Christmas in the Atlanta area since 1882. It started to snow on Christmas night. Two to three inches has accumulated by this morning. So… the obligatory walk down to the creek and around the field. The photos were taken in color but the skies were dark and most appear to be black and white. Mostly, anyway.

Heading into the woods.

Each summer, I keep forgetting to cut these Chinese Privets (Ligustrum sinense) back. It’s not until it snows that I remember. The branches sag under the weight of the heavy snow and block the path. I can push my way through but end up covered in snow. Ugh.

On the slope above the ledge by the creek.

On the path along the ledge above the creek. This is one of my favorite spots; I photograph this path repeatedly.

The pool in the opening in the woods. It’s barely visible this year; the Chinese Privets bushes have grown compared with the photograph taken early this year.

The woods behind the pool. The pool is to the right of this photograph.

Retracing my steps along the path above the creek. I tried to walk the circuit but the privets had blocked the path completely and I couldn’t get through.

A view of the back path on the ledge above the creek. It's completely blocked at the far end.

Looking back, from the same spot, to the path I had walked. I can see my footprints in the snow.

And back up the hill to the field.
And on to the field… (to be continued)
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Related posts:
- And Then It Snowed: In The Woods
- Woods in the Fall